Electroconvulsive therapy in the United States

In 1990, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) celebrated 50 years of continuous use in the United States. After many trials and tribulations, this treatment modality has experienced a resurgence of interest in recent years. Contemporary research has helped to both maximize benefits and minimize risks, as ECT has grown technologically into a sophisticated procedure administered by highly trained practitioners. Given the substantial growth in knowledge about ECT, the American Psychiatric Association has recently developed comprehensive clinical guidelines for its practice. The present paper provides an overview of the history of ECT in the United States, the manner in which it is used at present, and areas of active research interest.